Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 vs. iPad Pro: Which high-end tablet takes the crown?

For the past few years, the iPad Pro has reigned as the go-to tablet for professionals and creatives. Samsung has been trying to get in on the action, but the problem lies with Android, which offers few tablet-optimized apps. The Galaxy Tab S4 is looking to shake up the Android tablet space, thanks to Samsung’s Android desktop mode, which catapults the Tab S4 into a productivity machine.

So how do the two compare? We pit Galaxy Tab S4 vs. the iPad Pro (2017) to find out.

Specs

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4
 10.5 inch iPad Pro (2017)

Size
249.3 x 164.3 x 7.1 mm (9.81 x 6.46 x 0.28 inches)
250.6 x 174.1 x 6.1 mm (9.87 x 6.85 x 0.24 inches)

Weight
482 grams (17 ounces)
469g (16.5oz)

Screen size
10.5-inches  Super AMOLED
10.5-inches LCD with True Tone

Screen resolution
2,560 x 1,600 pixels (287 pixels-per-inch)
2,224 x 1,668 pixels (264 pixels-per-inch)

Operating system
Android Oreo 8.1
iOS 11.4

Storage space
64GB, 256GB
64GB, 256GB, 512GB

MicroSD card slot
Yes, up to 512GB
None

Tap To Pay services
Samsung Pay, Google Pay
None

Processor
 Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
Apple A10X Fusion

RAM
4GB
4GB

Camera
Rear 13MP, front 8MP
Rear 12MP, front 7MP

Video
2,160p at 30 frames per second
2,160p at 30fps, 1,080p at 60fps, 1,080p at 120fps, 720p at 240fps

Bluetooth version
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 4.2

Ports
3.5mm headphone jack, USB-Type C
3.5mm headphone jack, Lightning

Fingerprint sensor
No, iris scanner
Yes

Water resistance
No
No

Battery
7,3000mAh, fast charging
8,134mAh

App Marketplace
Google Play Store
App Store

Network support
Verizon (more carrier support to come later, including AT&T, US Cellular, Sprint)
T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon

Colors
Black, Grey
Silver, Gold, Space Gray, Rose Gold

Price
$650-plus
$650-plus

Buy from
Samsung, Amazon, Best Buy, Verizon
Apple

Review score
Hands-on
4.5 out of 5 stars

Performance, battery life, and charging

The entire point of a pro tablet is for it to perform extremely well, right? Well, both the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 and iPad Pro should be able to handle just about any task you can imagine. In terms of processor power alone, the Galaxy Tab S4 has a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, while the iPad Pro is packing Apple’s A10X Fusion chip. Both have 4GB of RAM, which is plenty for multitasking. Apple’s processor does edge out a win here because it’s more powerful than the Snapdragon 835.

When it comes to battery life, things are a bit more tricky. Samsung claims the new Galaxy Tab S4 should last through 16 hours of video playback on a single charge, while Apple offers a more conservative 10 hour estimate of “surfing the web on Wi‐Fi, watching video, or listening to music.” The Tab S4 has a 7,300mAh battery, but the iPad Pro packs an 8,134mAh battery capacity. We’ll need to test Samsung’s claim, but either way, both of these tablets should easily get you through a day of use. If you do find yourself running low, Samsung’s newest tablet has a fast-charging adapter in the box; if you want a quick charge on the iPad Pro, you’ll need to buy a separate adapter.

Overall, we’re calling this round for the iPad Pro. It’s performance outmatches the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4, and it features a battery that will definitely get you through a full day.

Winner: iPad Pro

Design and durability

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Both the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 and the iPad are gorgeous tablets, so personal preference will win out here. We think the front of the Tab S4 looks more contemporary, but prefer the rear design of the iPad Pro.

Durability-wise, the Galaxy Tab S4 loses points for its all-glass body (Gorilla Glass 3). Apple only has glass over the screen and aluminum on the back, which means you won’t have to worry about the back shattering after a drop. While Samsung’s glass back is nice, it doesn’t really serve a purpose other than design: There’s no wireless charging on the tablet.

Design is mostly a draw here, but durability lands the iPad Pro the win.

Winner: iPad Pro

Display

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Samsung managed to pack an absolutely gorgeous Super AMOLED display into its Galaxy Tab S4, and its precisely what you’d expect: Colors are vivid, blacks are inky, and the viewing angles are excellent. The iPad Pro, on the other hand, uses a laminated LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate and color-adjusting True Tone technology. The high refresh rate makes scrolling through apps feel incredibly smooth, and it’s a technology not available on any other tablet on the market.

This round goes to the iPad Pro. While the colors may be a bit more vivid on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 — and the screen a little sharper — the iPad Pro’s 120Hz refresh rate simply makes the tablet even more of a joy to use.

Winner: iPad Pro  

Camera

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 features a 13-megapixel camera on the back, with an 8-megapixel camera on the front. On the iPad Pro, you’ll find a 12-megapixel camera on its back and a 7-megapixel selfie cam. So, in terms of overall specs, the two are pretty similar.

While the iPad Pro camera may be better here since it’s more or less the iPhone 7’s camera system, we don’t put a ton of stock into tablet cameras since they’re not used in the same way you’d use the camera on your smartphone. You’ll find a satisfactory camera experience here for both devices, though we’ll be testing the Tab S4 in more detail for the review.

Winner: Tie

Software and updates

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Last year, this comparison would have basically come down to an iOS vs. Android comparison, but things are a little more exciting this year. Samsung is bringing its DeX mode to the Galaxy Tab S4. DeX mode creates a desktop-like Android experience right on the tablet. It works great with Samsung’s suite of apps and third-party support is growing. The 10.5-inch iPad Pro, on the other hand, still relies solely on iOS, which can be a challenge for productivity. The iPad does have a slew of multitasking features, such as split-screen and drag and drop, but DeX seems to offer a more comfortable laptop-like experience.

We think DeX mode has a lot of potential, but Samsung is not as diligent about software and security updates as Apple. You can be sure to receive Android P and Android Q, but don’t expect those updates to come in a timely manner. If that’s important to you, stick with the iPad Pro — it’s what makes this section a tie.

Winner: Tie

Special features

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Looking for special features you won’t find on other tablets? Well, both the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 and iPad Pro have one major special feature: The S Pen and Apple Pencil, respectively. Both styluses allow you to draw, sign documents, and take notes. On Samsung’s newly updated S Pen, you’ll even find a button that will open a list of frequently used apps for quick access.

While we think the Apple Pencil is a much better tool for creators, it costs $100, and you need to charge it. The S Pen is included with your Tab S4 purchase, and it doesn’t need charging.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Tab S4

Speakers

A great tablet has to have great sound, right? Well, both the Samsung Tab S4 and iPad Pro offer a quad-speaker setup that is sure to please the average listener. On the Tab S4, you’ll find speakers tuned by AKG with Dolby Atmos Sound, and while that sounds good, there are a few problems. First off, they’re not as loud as we’d like: They’ll probably be fine for a movie, but you’re definitely not going to want to play music on them during a party. The bigger problem is they simply don’t work well when the tablet is attached to Samsung’s Book Cover Keyboard. The sound is muffled, so you’ll need to take it off or use a different case.

The iPad Pro, on the other hand, also has a quad speaker setup that isn’t affected by a cover. The audio sounds great, and it gets plenty loud. The iPad Pro takes the win.

Winner: iPad Pro

Price

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 sells for $650 for the 64GB model and $750 for the 256GB model. An LTE version will be available on Verizon but we haven’t received pricing for it just yet. Both models will be available on August 10. Support for other carriers such as AT&T, Sprint, and US Cellular will arrive later this year. It’s an extra $150 for the Book Cover Keyboard.

The iPad Pro 10.5 inch comes in at $650 for the 64GB model, $800 for the 256GB version, and a whopping $1,000 if you want to max out your storage at 512GB. Add $130 to those prices if you want to pick up the LTE model that works on all major carriers. It’s also an additional $160 if you want the Smart Keyboard cover.

Overall winner: iPad Pro

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The iPad Pro takes the crown. From its slightly more durable design to its superior processing power, the iPad Pro is our first choice when it comes to a pro tablet. That’s not to say the Samsung Tab S4 is a slouch. The new DeX mode shows a lot of potential, and if it works well enough with third-party apps, it just may be an excellent laptop replacement. We’ll continue testing it for our full review.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 vs. Galaxy Tab S3: Android Tablet Showdown
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 hands-on review
• The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is a tablet and computer rolled into one
• What to expect at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event in August
• The best tablets you can buy

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 vs. iPad Pro: Which high-end tablet takes the crown?

For the past few years, the iPad Pro has reigned as the go-to tablet for professionals and creatives. Samsung has been trying to get in on the action, but the problem lies with Android, which offers few tablet-optimized apps. The Galaxy Tab S4 is looking to shake up the Android tablet space, thanks to Samsung’s Android desktop mode, which catapults the Tab S4 into a productivity machine.

So how do the two compare? We pit Galaxy Tab S4 vs. the iPad Pro (2017) to find out.

Specs

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4
 10.5 inch iPad Pro (2017)

Size
249.3 x 164.3 x 7.1 mm (9.81 x 6.46 x 0.28 inches)
250.6 x 174.1 x 6.1 mm (9.87 x 6.85 x 0.24 inches)

Weight
482 grams (17 ounces)
469g (16.5oz)

Screen size
10.5-inches  Super AMOLED
10.5-inches LCD with True Tone

Screen resolution
2,560 x 1,600 pixels (287 pixels-per-inch)
2,224 x 1,668 pixels (264 pixels-per-inch)

Operating system
Android Oreo 8.1
iOS 11.4

Storage space
64GB, 256GB
64GB, 256GB, 512GB

MicroSD card slot
Yes, up to 512GB
None

Tap To Pay services
Samsung Pay, Google Pay
None

Processor
 Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
Apple A10X Fusion

RAM
4GB
4GB

Camera
Rear 13MP, front 8MP
Rear 12MP, front 7MP

Video
2,160p at 30 frames per second
2,160p at 30fps, 1,080p at 60fps, 1,080p at 120fps, 720p at 240fps

Bluetooth version
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 4.2

Ports
3.5mm headphone jack, USB-Type C
3.5mm headphone jack, Lightning

Fingerprint sensor
No, iris scanner
Yes

Water resistance
No
No

Battery
7,3000mAh, fast charging
8,134mAh

App Marketplace
Google Play Store
App Store

Network support
Verizon (more carrier support to come later, including AT&T, US Cellular, Sprint)
T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon

Colors
Black, Grey
Silver, Gold, Space Gray, Rose Gold

Price
$650-plus
$650-plus

Buy from
Samsung, Amazon, Best Buy, Verizon
Apple

Review score
Hands-on
4.5 out of 5 stars

Performance, battery life, and charging

The entire point of a pro tablet is for it to perform extremely well, right? Well, both the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 and iPad Pro should be able to handle just about any task you can imagine. In terms of processor power alone, the Galaxy Tab S4 has a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, while the iPad Pro is packing Apple’s A10X Fusion chip. Both have 4GB of RAM, which is plenty for multitasking. Apple’s processor does edge out a win here because it’s more powerful than the Snapdragon 835.

When it comes to battery life, things are a bit more tricky. Samsung claims the new Galaxy Tab S4 should last through 16 hours of video playback on a single charge, while Apple offers a more conservative 10 hour estimate of “surfing the web on Wi‐Fi, watching video, or listening to music.” The Tab S4 has a 7,300mAh battery, but the iPad Pro packs an 8,134mAh battery capacity. We’ll need to test Samsung’s claim, but either way, both of these tablets should easily get you through a day of use. If you do find yourself running low, Samsung’s newest tablet has a fast-charging adapter in the box; if you want a quick charge on the iPad Pro, you’ll need to buy a separate adapter.

Overall, we’re calling this round for the iPad Pro. It’s performance outmatches the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4, and it features a battery that will definitely get you through a full day.

Winner: iPad Pro

Design and durability

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Both the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 and the iPad are gorgeous tablets, so personal preference will win out here. We think the front of the Tab S4 looks more contemporary, but prefer the rear design of the iPad Pro.

Durability-wise, the Galaxy Tab S4 loses points for its all-glass body (Gorilla Glass 3). Apple only has glass over the screen and aluminum on the back, which means you won’t have to worry about the back shattering after a drop. While Samsung’s glass back is nice, it doesn’t really serve a purpose other than design: There’s no wireless charging on the tablet.

Design is mostly a draw here, but durability lands the iPad Pro the win.

Winner: iPad Pro

Display

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Samsung managed to pack an absolutely gorgeous Super AMOLED display into its Galaxy Tab S4, and its precisely what you’d expect: Colors are vivid, blacks are inky, and the viewing angles are excellent. The iPad Pro, on the other hand, uses a laminated LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate and color-adjusting True Tone technology. The high refresh rate makes scrolling through apps feel incredibly smooth, and it’s a technology not available on any other tablet on the market.

This round goes to the iPad Pro. While the colors may be a bit more vivid on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 — and the screen a little sharper — the iPad Pro’s 120Hz refresh rate simply makes the tablet even more of a joy to use.

Winner: iPad Pro  

Camera

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 features a 13-megapixel camera on the back, with an 8-megapixel camera on the front. On the iPad Pro, you’ll find a 12-megapixel camera on its back and a 7-megapixel selfie cam. So, in terms of overall specs, the two are pretty similar.

While the iPad Pro camera may be better here since it’s more or less the iPhone 7’s camera system, we don’t put a ton of stock into tablet cameras since they’re not used in the same way you’d use the camera on your smartphone. You’ll find a satisfactory camera experience here for both devices, though we’ll be testing the Tab S4 in more detail for the review.

Winner: Tie

Software and updates

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Last year, this comparison would have basically come down to an iOS vs. Android comparison, but things are a little more exciting this year. Samsung is bringing its DeX mode to the Galaxy Tab S4. DeX mode creates a desktop-like Android experience right on the tablet. It works great with Samsung’s suite of apps and third-party support is growing. The 10.5-inch iPad Pro, on the other hand, still relies solely on iOS, which can be a challenge for productivity. The iPad does have a slew of multitasking features, such as split-screen and drag and drop, but DeX seems to offer a more comfortable laptop-like experience.

We think DeX mode has a lot of potential, but Samsung is not as diligent about software and security updates as Apple. You can be sure to receive Android P and Android Q, but don’t expect those updates to come in a timely manner. If that’s important to you, stick with the iPad Pro — it’s what makes this section a tie.

Winner: Tie

Special features

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Looking for special features you won’t find on other tablets? Well, both the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 and iPad Pro have one major special feature: The S Pen and Apple Pencil, respectively. Both styluses allow you to draw, sign documents, and take notes. On Samsung’s newly updated S Pen, you’ll even find a button that will open a list of frequently used apps for quick access.

While we think the Apple Pencil is a much better tool for creators, it costs $100, and you need to charge it. The S Pen is included with your Tab S4 purchase, and it doesn’t need charging.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Tab S4

Speakers

A great tablet has to have great sound, right? Well, both the Samsung Tab S4 and iPad Pro offer a quad-speaker setup that is sure to please the average listener. On the Tab S4, you’ll find speakers tuned by AKG with Dolby Atmos Sound, and while that sounds good, there are a few problems. First off, they’re not as loud as we’d like: They’ll probably be fine for a movie, but you’re definitely not going to want to play music on them during a party. The bigger problem is they simply don’t work well when the tablet is attached to Samsung’s Book Cover Keyboard. The sound is muffled, so you’ll need to take it off or use a different case.

The iPad Pro, on the other hand, also has a quad speaker setup that isn’t affected by a cover. The audio sounds great, and it gets plenty loud. The iPad Pro takes the win.

Winner: iPad Pro

Price

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 sells for $650 for the 64GB model and $750 for the 256GB model. An LTE version will be available on Verizon but we haven’t received pricing for it just yet. Both models will be available on August 10. Support for other carriers such as AT&T, Sprint, and US Cellular will arrive later this year. It’s an extra $150 for the Book Cover Keyboard.

The iPad Pro 10.5 inch comes in at $650 for the 64GB model, $800 for the 256GB version, and a whopping $1,000 if you want to max out your storage at 512GB. Add $130 to those prices if you want to pick up the LTE model that works on all major carriers. It’s also an additional $160 if you want the Smart Keyboard cover.

Overall winner: iPad Pro

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The iPad Pro takes the crown. From its slightly more durable design to its superior processing power, the iPad Pro is our first choice when it comes to a pro tablet. That’s not to say the Samsung Tab S4 is a slouch. The new DeX mode shows a lot of potential, and if it works well enough with third-party apps, it just may be an excellent laptop replacement. We’ll continue testing it for our full review.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 vs. Galaxy Tab S3: Android Tablet Showdown
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 hands-on review
• The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is a tablet and computer rolled into one
• What to expect at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event in August
• The best tablets you can buy

Microsoft Surface Go vs. Asus NovaGo

Rich Shibley/Digital Trends

Microsoft’s Surface line just got a little smaller, with the diminutive Surface Go that’s aimed squarely at Apple’s iPad as an option for tablet lovers. At the other of the iPad competition spectrum is the Asus NovaGo, a convertible 2-in-1 that’s one of the first Windows on ARM devices to hit the market.

Both of these machines want to take their place as viable Windows 10 alternatives to the small, light, and long-lasting iPad, but they take very different approaches. We pitted the Microsoft Surface Go against the Asus NovaGo to see which one can better tackle your non-traditional PC tasks.

Design

Rich Shibley/Digital Trends

Microsoft Surface Go looks like a shrunken version of its successful Surface Pro, and that’s no coincidence. It is a shrunken version of the Surface Pro, down to the very familiar magnesium chassis and silver-gray design aesthetic. It’s also just as robustly built, with that “hunk of metal and glass” feeling in the hand that evokes confidence in its durability and quality. And it really is tiny for a full-on Windows 10 machine, coming in at 1.15 pounds and 0.33 inches thick. The bezels aren’t the smallest, and so it’s slightly larger in width and depth than it might otherwise be, but that’s nitpicking at this point. As with other Surface models, the optional snap-on Type Cover provides a satisfying typing experience and a responsive Microsoft Precision touchpad.

The NovaGo isn’t nearly as small nor as light, coming in at 0.59 inches thick and 3.06 pounds. And its build quality and aesthetic aren’t quite so exquisite — Asus built it well enough that you won’t worry about it falling apart and it’s not an eyesore. But you won’t come away thinking you under spent on the NovaGo by hundreds of dollars. And while the NovaGo is a 360-degree convertible with a more traditional keyboard, it’s a bit spongy and so doesn’t quite live up to the Surface Go Type Cover’s excellent typing feel. The NovaGo’s touchpad is larger, though, and just as responsive a Microsoft Precision version, and so that’s a plus in its favor.

Ultimately, choosing between these two devices, at least regarding their design, comes down to whether you prefer a detachable tablet or a convertible 2-in-1. You’ll appreciate the Surface Go’s build quality a bit more, especially at this price point (more on that later, but suffice it to say that these aren’t premium products), but you won’t find the NovaGo to be cheaply made, either.

In the end, being thin and light has its advantages, and so the Surface Go wins this round. Plus, the Surface Go supports an active pen while the NovaGo does not, and that’s another notch in Microsoft’s favor.

Performance

With its dated Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 CPU, the NovaGo isn’t going to win many drag races against other Windows 10 machines. We found it sluggish overall, whether in Windows 10 in S Mode — the default — or in Windows 10 Pro mode running legacy Windows apps in emulation.

The Surface Go is an exception to that general rule, however. It, too, is sluggish, with an Intel Pentium 4415Y CPU that’s a far cry from the Core U-series processors that power the rest of Microsoft’s portable Surface line. As we said in our review, the Surface Go is even slower than some low-end Chrome OS devices on some of our tests, and it’s no faster than the NovaGo.

Also, the Surface Go has a slower solid-state drive (SSD) and the NovaGo utilizes even slower universal flash storage (UFS), meaning that neither is going to break any speed records when it comes to booting, opening apps, and reading and writing files. Combined with their CPU performance, we have to call overall quickness a draw.

The Surface Go does win out, though, when it comes to the sheer quality of its 10-inch 1,800 x 1,200 resolution IPS display. We found it sharper, brighter, more colorful, and with better contrast than the 13.3-inch Full HD panel on the NovaGo. The Surface Go carries on the Surface tradition of excellent displays, and that’s a real advantage in this category.

Portability

As we mentioned above, the Surface Go is eminently more portable. It’s thinner, lighter, and smaller, even with its Type Cover attached and ready for use. It’s far easier to put into a backpack and carry around for long distances.

However, the NovaGo is a Windows on ARM device, and that means its battery life is off the charts. It lasts just about twice as long — at least — as the Surface Go on a charge, and so you’re going to be able to work not only a full day on the NovaGo’s battery, but you’ll be powered into the next workday as well. We put these two devices into entirely different classes when it comes to battery life, and that includes how well they maintain battery life when on standby. The NovaGo acts a lot more like an iPad when it comes to closing the lid and picking it up later — there’s almost no delay in waking it up, and the battery life will be close to what it was when you put the NovaGo to sleep.

If you’re looking for the thinnest and lightest portable option, then the Surface Go wins out. But if you want to work as long as possible away from a plug, then the NovaGo has you covered.

The Surface Go is the better value

Rich Shibley/Digital Trends

The Microsoft Surface Go starts at $400 or 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage, and it jumps up to $550 for 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. That doesn’t include the $130 Signature Type Cover or the $100 Surface Pen, meaning that your investment will be $630 or more if you want to take full advantage of the Surface Go’s capabilities.

The Asus NovaGo has just one configuration, and Asus priced it at $700 for 6GB of RAM and 128GB of UFS storage. There’s no additional outlay for a keyboard, and the NovaGo doesn’t support an active pen at all, and so these two devices are relatively close in pricing.

If you’re choosing between these two devices today, then we recommend the Surface Go. The NovaGo is already behind the curve when it comes to Windows on ARM devices. Perhaps when Qualcomm ships faster Snapdragon CPUs, we’ll be more prepared to give a device like the NovaGo the win. For now, stick with the Surface.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Surface Go vs. Surface Pro
• Tips on how to save battery life on an iPhone
• Shoot smarter in the woods with the best photography gadgets for camping
• Electrolux, SideChef to bring customized recipes app to Asia-Pacific market
• Here’s how to track an Android phone, tablet, or smartwatch

Edifier S880DB speakers review: Taking your music to a whole ‘nother level

Big sound, small package, right price. Edifier gets it all right with its S880DB speakers.

Choosing the right set of speakers for your desk or living room can be fun but tough all at once. There are so many different choices in all price ranges and most of the time you can’t just borrow a set to try them out. Ideally, you want options so you can use them with a small receiver or through your computer, and having Bluetooth as well as an easy way to connect a Chromecast Audio is a must for most of us.

Edifier sent me a pair of S880DB speakers to try and I’m impressed. These little speakers not only look beautiful but deliver where it counts: great sound without spending a ton of cash. $300 brings true Hi-Res audio to any room in a compact and complete package.

Edifier S880DB speaker system

Price: $299.99

Bottom line: Edifier’s S880DB speaker system not only is easy to use almost anywhere, but they sound like components that cost a lot more.

The Good

• Lovely, elegant design
• Choice of input methods
• Hi-Res file support
• Cables included

The Bad

• More expensive than other desktop speakers
• Light wood and white color scheme won’t match every decor
• A few inches of clearance needed because of thick cables

See at Amazon

They’re surprisingly small considering the sound they can put out; each speaker measures 5.5 inches wide by 6.5 inches deep and is only 9 inches tall. They’re active speakers, which means you don’t need any sort of external amplifier but you will need to supply power from a wall outlet. Y

ou can use them through a standard set of RCA jacks, USB from a computer, and coaxial and optical connections are there if you want to ramp things up a notch. For wired connections even the cables you’ll need are included: you’ll find a 3.5 mm to RCA splitter, an RCA cable, a shielded USB cable, and an optical cable at the top of the box in their own little tray.

Of course, Bluetooth is an option and the S880DB speakers are Bluetooth 4.1 ready for easy pairing with your phone, laptop, or tablet. you’ll be able to connect to these speakers no matter what you’re using to play your music.

The wireless remote not only powers the pair on or off, but has controls for Bluetooth audio (FF, Rewind, Play, and Pause) and four EQ settings. Choose from Monitor, Dynamic, Vocal, or Classic to change settings so the sound matches what you’re playing.

I didn’t expect a lot from these, but I was pleasantly surprised and you really do have a nice mix of sound profiles as well as a flat studio monitor setting if you do your fine-tuning elsewhere.

Since they’re active speakers, Edifier has also included some basic audio controls in the rear panel and you have an analog knob for treble, bass, and volume if you’d rather set things up and not have to touch them again.

A 192kHz DAP means your Hi-Res source files are going to sound the way you expect them to sound: awesome.

Everything above makes for a great set of bookshelf speakers for almost any room, but what really puts these over the top is the onboard processor and amp. When you’re using the USB, coaxial, or optical connection the digital audio processor has a 192kHz sample rate. with the right source files, these tiny little bookshelf speakers are true Hi-Res monitors that will make your inner audiophile tingle just a little bit.

You’re not going to get a wall of sound effect from the 19mm 12 watt treble drivers and 32-watt 3.75-inch bass drivers but you will get more than enough sound to fill any room with enough separation to make you think you’re listening through something that costs a lot more and takes more space.

More: Forget Sonos, Chromecast Audio is the better whole-home audio solution

I’ve been using these through my desktop, paired to my phone, and with a Chromecast Audio for a week and I am going to hate sending them back. The Edifier S880DB set brings a complete audio solution for almost everything in a compact and sexy looking package, and sound as good as my own desktop setup consisting of a Yamaha receiver, Pioneer monitors and a bird’s nest of wires.

If you’re looking for premium audio for your house, no matter how you want to connect them, these are one of the best ways to get there.

See at Amazon

Apple’s AirPods work great with Android phones, and today they are just $145

These don’t go on sale all that often.

Amazon is currently offering the popular wireless headphones from Apple for $144.99, which is about $15 off the normal going rate. We don’t see many discounts (outside of Costco’s recurring one) for these truly wireless headphones from Apple, so if you have been looking for a set, this is a deal you won’t want to miss out on.

Don’t forget, just because Apple makes the headphones doesn’t mean that they don’t work beautifully with Android devices. I’ve been using my AirPods with various Android devices since I got them, including my LG G6, BlackBerry KEYone, Essential Phone, and more. The experience is flawless, and the comfort and convenience greatly outweigh any silliness that you may think that they add to your ears visually.

The AirPods are powered by the W1 Bluetooth chip, which means they connect easily and have improved sound over Bluetooth. They’re ready to use with Apple devices out of the box. They can detect when you put them in your ears and immediately start working. You can double tap to access Siri. No wonder they’ve been in such high demand.

Don’t forget to grab some protection for the case the AirPods sit in, as well as a strap so you don’t lose one when traveling!

See at Amazon

How’s your Pixel 2 battery life holding up?

Here’s how the Pixel 2’s doing almost a year later.

We’re just a couple months away from the expected launch of the Pixel 3, and as you could probably guess, a lot of us are stoked to see how Google will improve with its third generation of in-house smartphones.

However, whether you don’t have the cash to upgrade this year or simply don’t see any need to, last year’s Pixel 2 is still one beast of a handset.

Some of our forum users recently started talking about the battery life of the phone so many months later (specifically its standby performance), and this is what they’ve been experiencing.

cbreze
07-28-2018 03:41 PM

“

With the latest beta update I lose between 4% > 6% over nite. .

Reply

Morty2264
07-28-2018 04:03 PM

“

With the new update I’d say I lose between 5-7% on an average night. But I charge my phone in the morning before work so I don’t worry too much about battery loss overnight.

Reply

Mr Segundus
07-28-2018 05:54 PM

“

I’m almost getting iPhone-quality standby time on my 2 XL. I lose between 3%-4% overnight if I don’t charge the device. My iPhone X loses 1%-2% overnight.

Reply

mustang7757
07-29-2018 01:12 PM

“

I lose about 2 to 4 % overnight but I also face phone down so AOD don’t stay on

Reply

Now, we want to hear from you! How’s your Pixel 2’s standby battery performance?

Join the conversation in the forums!

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

• Pixel 2 FAQ: Everything you need to know!
• Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL review: The new standard
• Google Pixel 2 specs
• Google Pixel 2 vs. Pixel 2 XL: What’s the difference?
• Join our Pixel 2 forums

Best Buy
Verizon
Google Store
Project Fi

Here’s every Enhanced game for the PS4 Pro

Which PlayStation 4 games have been boosted for the PS4 Pro?

Console manufacturers have long used a “tock” model of updating hardware. Until now.

The releases of the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X represent a “tick” in the development of their consoles. These are not releases of new consoles build from the ground up, but improvements on the existing hardware. Without going into vast detail and promotional talking points, these improvements mean more power.

Note: This is a constantly-updated list. Check for often for the latest Enhanced PS4 Pro games!

What does this mean for a PS4 Pro gamer?

There are many shades of grey, but mostly it means higher resolution graphics and more frames per second. Due to the fact that that it is being left to game developers to decide how they utilize the new processing power in the PS4 Pro, there is no uniform level of improvement.

There are myriad other graphical tweaks developers are implementing, such as enhanced textures and deeper draw distances. For the purposes of this list, however, we are just going to take a highest numbers claimed for resolution and framerate.

The List

Note: Some of these resolutions come with various caveats in regard to lowering other settings in order to achieve highest graphics quality. This means that console only players will be getting a chance to dip their toes in the previously PC owned world of setting tweaks. There are also a few games that are listed as adaptive 4K. In short, this means that the system will scale resolution up or down on its own. When there is less action on screen you are likely to have higher resolutions, whereas moments with tons of elements being rendered at once may see the resolution lowered.

• A Way Out – improved framerate
• Abzû – 2400X1350 with an “increased framerate”
• Arizona Sunshine VR – 1920X1080
• Ark: Survival Evolved – 1080p detail mode, 720p normal at uncapped framerate. 1080 with 30 fps target, 720 with 60fps target
• Assassin’s Creed: Ezio Collection – Native 4K at 30fps
• Assassin’s Creed Origins – 4K dynamic
• Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate – 2880X1620 at 30fps
• Batman Return To Arkham – 1920X1080 at 30fps
• Battleborn – 4K at 30fps
• Battlefield 1 – 2880X1620 at 60fps
• Battlezone VR – 3360X1890
• Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition – 4K
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 – 4K
• Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare – 4K
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered – 4K
• Call of Duty: WWII – 1620p
• Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy – 2560X1440
• Danger Zone – 4K checkerboard
• Darksiders: Warmastered Edition – 4K at 60fps “in moment to moment gameplay”
• Dark souls 3 – 1920X1080 at up to 60fps
• Death Stranding – 4K (Release in 2018)
• Detroit: Become Human – 4K checkerboard at 30 fps
• Deus Ex: Mankind Divided – 4K
• Destiny 2 – Adaptive 4K
• Diablo 3: Ultimate Evil Edition – 4K
• Dirt 4 – 60 fps, improved shadows and textures
• Dishonored 2 – 2560×1440
• The Division – 4K
• DOOM – 2560×1440
• Dynasty Warriors 9 – 4K at 30 fps or 1080p at 60 fps
• The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Special Edition – 4K
• The Elder Scrolls Online – 4K
• Elite: Dangerous – 1080p performance mode at 60 fps or quality mode with unlocked framerate between 30 and 60 fps
• The Evil Within 2 – 1260p resolution or improved framerates
• F1 2017 – 4K
• Fallout 4 – 1440p
• Far Cry 5 – improved resolution or graphics modes
• Farming Simulator – 4K
• Fe – 1260p
• FIFA 17 – 4K up 60fps
• FIFA 18 – 4K with HDR support
• Final Fantasy 12 – 2560×1440
• Final Fantasy 14 – 3200×1800 at 30 fps or 1080p with unlocked fps
• Final Fantasy 15 – 3200X1800
• Firewatch – 2560X1440
• For Honor– 2560X1400
• Full Throttle Remastered – 4K
• Ghost Recon: Wildlands – 2560X1440
• God of War – dynamic 4K with HDR support
• Grand Turismo Sport – 4K
• Gravity Rush – 3840X2160
• Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice – 60fps
• Helldivers – 4K at 60fs
• Here They Lie – 4K
• Hitman – 4K at 60fps
• Homefront: The Revolution – 4K
• Horizon: Zero Dawn – 4K
• Hustle Kings – 4K 60fps
• Infamous: First Light – 3200X1800
• Infamous: Second Son – 3200X1800
• Injustice 2 – 2560X1440
• Killing Floor 2 – 4K
• Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX – 4K at 60fps
• Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue – 4K
• King of Fighters 14 – 4K
• Knack – 3072X1728
• Knack 2 – 1800p
• LA Noire – 4K
• The Last of Us Remastered – 2560X1440 max. 1800p at 60fps or 2160 at 30fps
• The Last Guardian – 3840X2160 at variable frame rate. 1080p locked at 30fps
• Lawbreakers – 2560×1440 at 60fps
• Lego Harry Potter Collection – 2560X1440 at 60fps
• Let It Die – 2560X1440
• Life is Strange: Before the Storm – 4K
• Little Nightmares – 2880X1620 at 60fps
• Madden NFL 18 – 4K or 1080ps at 60fps
• Mafia 3 – 2560X1440
• Mantis Burn Racing – 4K at 60fps
• Mass Effect: Andromeda – 3200X1800
• Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain – 2560×1440 with more stable 60 fps
• Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor – 4K or 1080p at 30fps
• Middle-earth: Shadow of War – 4K cinematics and 1080p
• MLB The Show 17 – 4K, 2560X1440, or 1080p with “enhanced frame rate”
• Monster Hunter: World – 1800p checkerboard at unlocked framerate between 30 and 60 fps
• Mother Russia Bleeds – 3840X2160
• MotoGP 17 – 2560X1440 at 60fps
• NBA 2K17 – 4K at 60fps
• NBA 2K18 – 4K at 60 fps
• Neon Chrome – 4K
• Nex Machina – 3360×1890 at 60fps or 1080 at 60fps locked
• Nier: Automata – 1080p at 60fps
• Nioh – 1080p display: 1920×1080 (Movie Mode)
• No Man’s Sky – 3200×1800
• Outlast 2 – 2560×1440 at 60fps
• Overwatch – 4K at 60fps
• Oxenfree – 60 fps
• Paladins – 4K
• Paragon – 1080p at 60fps.
• PaRappa the Rapper Remastered – 4K (dynamic).
• PES 2017 – 4K at 60fps.
• Prey – 1080p with improved texture, shadow, lighting, and particle effects
• Pyre – 4K at 60 fps.
• Ratchet & Clank – 3200×1800
• Resident Evil 7 Biohazard – 3840×2160
• Resogun – 4K
• Rez Infinite – 3840 x 2160 at 60fps
• Rime – 60 fps with HDR support and improved shadows, textures, reflections
• Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration – 4K at 30fps
• Rocket League – 4K
• Skyforge – 4K with HDR support
• Smite – 4K at 60fps
• Snake Pass – 2688×1512 at 30fps
• Sniper Elite 4 – 1920×1080 resolution at 60fps
• Steep – unlocked frame rate up to 60 fps
• Super Stardust Ultra – 4K at 60fps
• The Surge – 4K at 30fps
• Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization – 60fps
• Tekken 7 – 1080p at locked 60 fps
• Tethered – 4K at 60fps
• Thumper – 4K at 60fps
• Titanfall 2 – 2560×1440
• Trackmania Turbo – 2880×1620 at 60fps
• Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End – 2560×1440 at 30fps
• Uncharted 4: Lost Legacy – 4K at 60fps.
• Until Dawn: Rush of Blood – improved rendering
• Verdun – 3200×1800 at 60fps.
• Victor Vran: Overkill Edition – 2880×1620 at 60fps
• Viking Squad – 3840×2160 at 60fps
• Warframe – improved frame rate and performance
• Watch Dogs 2 – 3200×1800
  What Remains of Edith Finch – improved frame rates
• Wheels of Aurelia – 3840×2160 at 60fps.
• Wipeout Omega Collection – 4K (dependent on motion blur settings) at 60fps
• The Witcher 3 – 4K
• The Witness – 4K at 60fps
• World of Tanks – 3200 x 1800
• XCOM 2 – improved anti-aliasing

With all the various upgrades to existing games that will now be available on the PS4 Pro there is a decent argument for a PS4 Pro owner to revisit some of the games that may have sitting on the shelves gathering dust. The only difficulty will be tracking what sort of upgrades will be getting applied to each title.

What games will you be re-playing on your PS4 Pro?

Why are we reviewing PlayStation 4 games on Android Central? Let us explain.

PlayStation 4

• PS4 vs. PS4 Slim vs. PS4 Pro: Which should you buy?
• PlayStation VR Review
• Playing PS4 games through your phone is awesome

Amazon

Android P should just adopt Motorola’s one-button navigation gestures instead

Moto is once again improving upon the base of Android.

We’re getting closer to the launch of Android P — Google dropped the final developer preview just last week, and we’re expecting to see the finished product released later this month. Whether it’s called Pecan, Popsicle, Pancake, or something else, it’s bringing a lot of new features to Android, including a handy new one-button navigation system that does away with the black bar full of software buttons.

It’s great in theory, but there’s something missing from Google’s new navigational system. You can tap the new “pill” button at the bottom of the screen to go home or long-press it to launch Google Assistant, which makes perfect sense — that’s exactly how the home button has always worked. You can also drag the pill to the right to switch apps, either quickly to jump to the previous app or with a slower drag to open a horizontally scrolling list of apps.

There’s inexplicably no gesture to go back, though, so Google just left the back button in place when you’re in an app. Seriously?

What was Google thinking, not adding a back gesture?

Luckily, Google isn’t the only one working on simpler navigation. OnePlus has a new way to get around the OnePlus 6 without any buttons at all — instead, it’s all based around swiping up from different spots at the bottom of the screen. Swipe up from the center to go home, swipe up from the left or right to go back, or swipe up and pause to launch the multitasking pane. It’s nice to win back the bottom of your screen, but I never cared for this navigation either, since switching apps is considerably slower and clunkier than with a traditional software button.

Motorola debuted its own one-button navigation format with the Moto Z3 Play, and while it isn’t perfect, it’s by far my favorite implementation, and in my opinion the easiest to adjust to. Motorola uses a pill-shaped button just like Android P, but it essentially mirrored the button layout we’ve all gotten used to on Android over the last few years — tap the pill to go home, drag it to the right to access recent apps, and drag it to the left to go back. See, Google? It’s not that hard to add a back button gesture.

Coming from pretty much any Android device (aside from recent Samsung phones, which default to a reversed order with the back button to the right of the home button), this should feel super natural to move to, since you’re just moving the pill towards where the respective buttons would normally be anyway. Unfortunately, with Motorola’s pill you still get a slim black bar at the bottom of the screen, but it’s significantly shorter than the bar when using the Android’s standard three buttons, so I’ll take it for now.

Ultimately, though, I’d love for Android to eliminate that black bar holding the button entirely. I mean, isn’t it basically the equivalent of a notch at the bottom of the screen?

What say you? Have you been using any form of one-button navigation, or are you still perfectly happy with the three-button format we’ve had for years? Let me know in the comments below!

Android P

• Android P: Everything you need to know
• Android P Beta hands-on: The best and worst features
• All the big Android announcements from Google I/O 2018
• Will my phone get Android P?
• How to manually update your Pixel to Android P
• Join the Discussion

Moment Pro Camera app now uses the Pixel 2’s Pixel Visual Core

Yet another win for in-app camera experiences.

Last month, camera-maker Moment announced its Moment Pro Camera app for Android and iOS. The app launched with a bevy of features and settings from the getgo, but starting today, Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL owners are getting an exclusive treat as the app now supports the Pixel Visual Core.

Once you update the Moment Pro Camera app to the latest available version, you’ll have the option of enabling a new HDR+ mode after tapping on the Format button. In the HDR+ mode, you’ll be able to use the same HDR+ processing that’s won us over time and time again in the stock Google Camera app.

Google first started to really push the Pixel Visual Core back in February when it finally enabled the chip for all Pixel 2 and 2 XL owners. With this turned on, apps like Instagram, Snapchat, and others can use the full power of the Pixel 2’s camera rather than simply using its viewfinder — resulting in photos that are brighter, sharper, and more colorful.

In addition to Pixel Visual Core support, the latest Moment Pro Camera app update also allows you to set it as your default camera, has improvements to the Camera Roll, and a host of bug fixes.

Hands-on with Moment’s new best-in-class Pro Camera app

What is Alexa Cast, and how does it compare to Google Cast?

It’s everything you loved about Google Cast… except for Amazon Alexa.

Android users have enjoyed the ability to cast media from their phones using Google Cast and Chromecast products and apps since 2013, and now Amazon is adding a new feature for it’s Echo speakers called Alexa Cast.

Currently exclusive to Amazon Music, the new feature lets you cast music to your Echo speakers and control everything from your smartphone.

How does it stack up against Google Cast? Let’s dive in!

Amazon playing catch up

Alexa Cast is very limited at the moment, but it’s a big step for Amazon as it catches up to its competition. Both Google and Apple have had media casting technology built into it’s own media streaming apps and services for several years now. Amazon seemed to follow a different philosophy, focusing first on building out a vast collection of hardware and focusing on Alexa as a platform for developers — and Amazon has enjoyed such great support from third-party app developers with its Alexa Skills collection to the point that the lack of casting functionality a mostly a moot point.

Still, in its current state Alexa Cast is a good feature confined to one app. It works really well but only if you want to use Amazon Music. In that regard, Alexa Cast is essentially the start of Amazon bridging a crucial gap between its own Echo products and Amazon Prime streaming services.

How does it compare to Google Cast?

At this point, it’s unfair to compare Alexa Cast to Google Cast outside of its core functionality. There are so many ways to use Google’s casting technologies to stream content from your phone or computer to your TV or Google Home speakers, whereas Alexa Cast is currently limited to Amazon Music app and Echo speakers.

In terms actually using Alexa Cast, it’s as easy and quick to use as you’d imagine and if you’ve ever used a Chromecast before you’ll be right at home. As long as you’re logged into your Amazon account and have at least one Echo speaker set up in your house you can cast music from Amazon’s streaming service: just tap on the Casting icon in the app, pick the speaker, and your music starts playing. You’ll also see any nearby Chromecast targets appear, albeit with a different icon, which allows you to cast Amazon Music to Google’s cast-enabled devices, too

What’s more exciting is to imagine what’s to come when Amazon expands the functionality of Alexa cast other media to devices such as the Echo Show and Fire TV. Until those features emerge, Alexa Cast for Amazon Music is a good starting point for Amazon to build upon.

A good excuse to try out the Amazon Music app

If you’re a Prime subscriber with Echo speakers and you’ve never checked out Amazon Music, this might be the excuse you’ve been waiting for. Given how well Alexa Cast works at launch, you just might decide to cancel a redundant subscription and rely on Amazon to supply your tunes.

As a Prime subscriber who primarily uses Spotify for my music, it was my first time using Amazon’s music streaming service and I found the app itself to be well designed and quite functional. But even as a Prime subscriber who has already technically paid for the service, I still won’t be switching over to Amazon Music any time soon.

What’s your take?

Have you tried out Alexa Cast yet? Is this a long overdue feature you’ve been waiting for? Let us know in the comments!

Amazon Echo

• Tap, Echo or Dot: The ultimate Alexa question
• All about Alexa Skills
• Amazon Echo review
• Echo Dot review
• Echo Spot review
• Top Echo Tips & Tricks
• Amazon Echo vs. Google Home
• Get the latest Alexa news

See at Amazon